Night flights in Winter present challenges

What’s Up
By LeRoy Cook

Despite some interludes of flyable conditions, there wasn’t a lot of aviation activity during the first full week of 2021. Low clouds and bouts of precipitation discouraged flying, and few lightplane operators wanted to chance getting ice accumulation in the clouds.

We did see and hear some high-flyers cruising along above the cloud decks, even some brave single-engine pilots. The B-2 bombers out of Whiteman Air Force Base came and went as usual, and there were the common strips of contrails left by overflying airliners.

Dayne Kedigh and I did accomplish some night-flying requirements on a clear evening, using a Cessna 150. We visited Lamar and Nevada, where airport beacons welcomed us as we scanned in the darkness, attempting to see the runway lights. Lamar is particularly well-lit, with REIL (runway end identifier lights) and taxiway lighting. One could see the glow of Springfield’s city lights from their traffic pattern.

When the clouds gave way to sunshine later in the week we went up for some proficiency practice, finding that the inversion layer limited visibility to five miles or less. This happens when pollution and water vapor get trapped in the stable cold air, rather than mixing by rising air currents. So, clear days aren’t always as clear as they seem.

We had a question posed about a regular night flight that comes over in the wee hours every morning at the same time, probably a freight or mail run. How, we were asked, was the pilot able to keep a schedule even while the ice storm was going on New Year’s night? Ice collects on trees and wires because rain falls out of warm air riding on top a cold-air layer parked on the ground. Liquid water instantly turns into ice when it hits a cold object. The airplane, on the other hand, was in the warm air, where it remained ice free.

Our question from last week, about the early designation of the McDonnell F-4 Phantom jet fighter, was answered by reader Bryan Farley, who knew it was first called the “F-110” before the services went with shorter designations. For next week, tell us what types of ice can bedevil pilots of little airplanes in the wintertime, even though they stay out of clouds to avoid airframe icing. You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

Butler Bears Wrestling News 1/9/21

The Butler Bears finished 3rd as a team in yesterday's Butler Wrestling Invitational!

Individual placements are below. Great day gentlemen!

113 Baylor Myers: 4th

120 Ryan Baker: 1st

126 Josh Smith: 9th

138 Brendin Patrick: 1st

145 Ostin Van Voorst: 1st

152 Gaven Burgess: 4th

160 Tristan Trumbore: 3rd

182 Isaac Rodriguez: 5th

195 Zayne Nuzum: 7th

Missing person from Butler

**MISSING PERSON**

Jessie L. Johnson Jr.
44 year old Johnson was last seen on 09/10/2020 at a residence in Butler, Missouri. 

We do not have a clothing description. 

If anyone has any information on Jessie L. Johnson Jr. contact the Butler Police Department at 660-679-6131

Nicely done...

The Butler Public Library would like to congratulate coloring contest winner Kyler Wix and thank all of those who participated. Thanks for your support!

60 years of memories: Butler Diversity

ON THE SQUARE

60 Years of Memories of Butler

 

When I first came to the big (relatively) city of Butler, I met a more diverse sampling of people than had been the case in my rural upbringing. I always rather enjoyed mixing with “different” individuals, and I found plenty of opportunities around the Square.

 

One of the first such persons I came across was George Reinch, who had come over from Germany in the mid-1950s, sponsored by the Robertson family. George was an accountant, with a thick Teutonic accent, who had worked hard to start a new life. The Levy family, of course, had been here since the 1800’s, not just of German extraction but Jewish as well, their numbers enlarged in the exodus from Nazi Germany prior to World War II. 

 

In the aftermath of the War, this area saw some settlement of “displaced persons,” peoples whose home countries and regions had been eliminated or ruined by the expansion and pushback of Hitler’s attempt at world domination. These DP’s were resettled as refugees, working on farms as they became Americans.

 

I also came across “war brides” who had married American GIs, like our Parisian Marie Sola and Italian lady Gina McGuire. Many Spanish-speaking residents had come up from the South to enrich our lives as well, like Albertina Mullies in the later years. And there was Peter Chi, a native Chinese, who was here for a few years as a itinerant minister.

 

Butler always had an established African American community, unlike some of the other towns founded in the post-Civil War era that were “Sunset Towns,” as in “Boy, don’t let us catch you here after the sun goes down.” By the time I came to Butler in 1960, schools had been integrated and a new generation was beginning to foster tolerance of darker skin tones. The Ray, Sweets and other families had moved to Butler in the Depression era from the older freedmen settlement of Marshall Creek in Henry County.

 

Not all of Butler’s diversity was based on cultural differences. Some were disabled individuals, like “Albert”, a man with crippled legs who rolled around the Square by propelling himself in a Radio Flyer little red wagon. He only needed a kind word to light up his face; when his wagon wore out, Elmer Morton at the Western Auto store replaced it. George Bogue, a deaf mute living at the east edge of town, was a familiar figure at the Sale Barn’s cattle pens, and insurance agent Harry Weiss functioned successfully despite the loss of his arms in a teenage accident.

 

Some of the diversity resulted from families who originally moved into Butler because of work transfers. Some came with the Boeing Minuteman Missile project, others worked in the coal mine industry or its associated Kansas City Power & Light plant. With the expansion of Highway 71, working in Kansas City and raising a family in quiet Butler became an easy carpool commute.

 

For whatever reason, we have been lucky to have a measure of diversity to bring seasoning to an otherwise bland region of Smiths and Joneses. It’s helped us understand that people are people, with the same needs and wants, whatever their background.

Obituary -Gary Lee Goth

Gary's family will host a CELEBRATION OF LIFE at the Montrose VFW Hall in Montrose, Missouri on Sunday, January 10, 2021 beginning at 1:00 p.m. All family and friends are welcome to join in this time of celebration of Gary's life. There will be no formal Funeral Mass.

MEMORIAL donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and left at the VFW Hall the day of the Celebration of Life.

Gary Lee Goth was born on July 11, 1958 the son of Leonard “Lennie” Aloysius and Martha Jane (Bellinghausen) Goth. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at his home on January 6, 2021, age 62. He grew up in the Montrose area, graduating from Montrose High School in 1976.

After completing his education, Gary began a career at Hoppe Farms and life calling in farming, taking care of cattle and row cropping. He then purchased the Part’s Store in Montrose, which he operated for many years. Gary enjoyed a high reputation in the community for being a great auto mechanic. He dearly enjoyed deer hunting and being in the outdoors. Apart from this, spending time with family and friends was what he loved most in life. He always appreciated their accomplishments and supported them in their ambitions. He remained a lifelong and active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Gary will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Aloysius Goth, and the love of his life, Sandy DeMaggio.

He is survived by his mother, Martha Goth; and two children he helped raise, Daniel (Tuesday) Ball and Frankie Ball; and two grandchildren: Jerry Shelton and Riley Ball; 2 brothers: Bart (Debbie) Goth, and Brent (Paula) Goth; 2 sisters: Debbie Goth and Maria (Jack) Fennewald; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and good friends.

 

From the desk of Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox

On Wednesday, January 6th, in the early morning hours, Morgan County Dispatch contacted Benton County Central dispatch regarding Kenneth W. Lawson, 53, of Gravois Mills Missouri. 

Lawson was suspected of committing several felonies involving the assault of his wife, who was transported to an area hospital for her injuries.

Morgan County stated that a black handgun was used in the assault and that Lawson had indicated he was not going to surrender to law enforcement and go back to prison and had declared plans to go out at the hands of law enforcement.

Benton County Deputies made contact with Lawson’s vehicle at the junction of Highways 52 and 65, just outside of Cole Camp. 

Lawson refused to yield to emergency lights and sirens just south of the Highway 52 exit on 65 Highway and ran off the road and became stuck in a muddy ditch. He then refused direction from deputies on scene to exit his vehicle. 

Deputies communicated with Lawson over loud speakers while standing at a safe distance using patrol vehicles as cover. Traffic was stopped in the south bound lane of 65 Highway for safety concerns. While attempts were being made to establish communication with Lawson, he took his own life with his handgun inside the cab of the vehicle.

Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare Announces January Staff Member of the Month

We are pleased to announce that Cheryl Anstine is the January Staff Member of the Month.

Cheryl has been an employee of GVMH since July 2014 and currently works as a Receptionist in the Registration Department at its Clinton Clinic.

Coworkers who nominated Cheryl had the following to say about her: “Cheryl is the sweetest and most compassionate person. She is responsible for training all of the new clinic registration employees, and does so with grace and a smile. She is the face of clinic registration, sets a good example and displays a positive attitude.”

“Cheryl is committed to her coworkers. She happily answers questions, manages up all providers and has a kind word for everyone. It does not happen often, but if a mistake is made, Cheryl owns it and ensures that it is not repeated.”

“Cheryl treats patients and the entire GVMH community with kindness and a willingness to help in any way possible. She acknowledges everyone, introduces herself and notifies patients if a provider is running behind. Cheryl explains every last detail and is often heard thanking our patients for choosing GVMH.”

In addition to being named staff member of the month, Cheryl received a flower bouquet, a $100 gift certificate and her name will be engraved on a plaque to be permanently displayed in the hospital. Cheryl is also one of 12 finalists for the 2020-2021 staff member of the year award.